The Best Pans for Eggs, Tested by Allrecipes Allstars

Best nonstick frying pans for eggs — Photo:
Allrecipes / Will Dickey

Eggs are one of the most versatile foods you’re likely to find in your kitchen. Scramble them quickly, fry them to perfection, or really show off by fixing up a French omelet. Just like the importance of the quality of eggs themselves, the right egg pan can be the difference between a plate of the fluffiest scrambled eggs and something a lot less appetizing. Not only do they help make the cooking process more efficient, but they’ll also make for an easy cleanup afterward. Of course, different materials require different levels of maintenance, and it’s also important to consider size.

Our team of Allstars is made up of over 100 home cooks, bloggers, registered dietitians, and food lovers who submit countless recipes, photos, and reviews every year. Apart from sharing their cooking expertise, they also share their favorite tried-and-trusted kitchen products and brands. It's safe to say that the Allstars have cooked plenty of eggs in their day, so we asked them about their favorite cookware to prepare them. Whether you’re cooking solo or preparing a massive brunch spread to serve friends and family, these are the best pans for eggs.

Our Top Picks

Our Top Pick:

Made In Cookware Nonstick Frying Pan at Amazon ($129)

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Best Budget:

Blue Diamond Ceramic Nonstick Skillet at Amazon ($20)

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Best Splurge:

All-Clad Stainless Tri-Ply Fry Pan, 12-inch at Amazon ($190)

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Best Large:

Zwilling Madura Plus Non-Stick Frying Pan at Amazon ($150)

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Best Small:

Le Creuset Nonstick Pan at Amazon ($175)

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Our Top Pick

Made In Cookware Nonstick Frying Pan

Amazon Made In Cookware 10" Nonstick Frying Pan

PHOTO: Amazon

$129 at Amazon $139 at Walmart View on Madeincookware.com

Why It's Great: Two layers of nonstick coating; oven safe up to 500°F; 5-ply construction; available in multiple colors

Grain of Salt: Heavy; expensive

Candice Walker, Allstar and owner of the popular food blog Proportional Plate, says that some pans only last six months in her kitchen before the nonstick coating begins to deteriorate. She looks for cookware that will work well in the long term, and this Made In pan is one of her favorites.

The award-winning design combines 5-ply stainless construction with two layers of nonstick coating for a pan that heats evenly and is durable enough to handle professional-level kitchen use. It has a sturdy double-rivet handle that stays cool while cooking on the stovetop, and it's oven safe up to 500°F.

We tested this pan out ourselves with scrambled eggs and found that they did not stick at all. Plus, any remnants of the eggs left after cooking were easily wiped out of the pan with a paper towel, and the space around the rivets was small enough not to attract any stubborn bits of food. While we did find the pan to be on the heavier side, it was incredibly well-balanced and one of the best we used during our nonstick cookware tests. We also love that it comes in four trendy colors—Graphite, Harbour Blue, Pomme Red, and Desert Tan—and three sizes.

The Details: Stainless steel; 10-inch diameter; 2.5 pounds; hand wash only

"I've used many egg pans and finally found one I've been loving for at least two years now, and I've even bought them as gifts because everyone needs a great egg pan!" -Candice Walker, Allrecipes Allstar

Made In nonstick frying pan — Allrecipes / Will Dickey

Best Budget

Blue Diamond Ceramic Nonstick Skillet

Blue Diamond Ceramic Nonstick 10-Inch Skillet

PHOTO: Amazon

$20 at Amazon $20 at Walmart

Why It’s Great: Different sizes and colors available; diamond-infused coating; dishwasher safe

Grain of Salt: Nonstick coating may not last as long

This brand’s signature diamond-infused ceramic nonstick is harder and more durable than traditional nonstick coating, and it’s more conductive than copper. The forged construction prevents warping and it’s oven safe up to 600°F. It’s even safe to put in the dishwasher.

Allstar Angela Sackett has had this same ceramic nonstick for two years, and she’s even bought a few as gifts. It’s less than $20, which is a steal for a quality egg pan, and comes in several different colors to match any aesthetic. Those stocking a new kitchen or dorm room can grab the same pan in a few sizes—it also comes in 8-inch, 9.5-inch, 11-inch, 12-inch, 12.5-inch, and 14-inch—for a full set.

The Details: Diamond-infused ceramic, aluminium; 10-inch diameter; 1.76 pounds; dishwasher safe

Blue Diamond ceramic nonstick pan for eggs — Allrecipes / Will Dickey

Best Splurge

All-Clad Stainless Tri-Ply Fry Pan, 12-inch

PHOTO: Amazon

$160 at Amazon $150 at Williams-Sonoma $130 at Sur La Table

Why It’s Great: Professional-quality stainless steel; sturdy handles; extremely durable

Grain of Salt: Big investment

Brenda Venable, one of our Allstars who’s contributed over 300 recipes to Allrecipes, has been using this 10-inch All-Clad nonstick pan for at least five years. “When I consider a new pan for cooking eggs, I want excellent non-stick, even heating, a well-balanced handle, and a stainless steel pan body for my glass top stove,” she says.

All-Clad is a brand trusted by home cooks and professional cooks alike, so it’s bound to be a big investment. However, when properly cared for—washing only by hand, using non-scratching utensils, etc.—these pans will last virtually forever. We tested them out with scrambled eggs and fried eggs and can confirm that everything cooked evenly without any burning or browning. The eggs slid out easily, with only small traces of oil or butter left in the pan.

The Details: Stainless steel; 10-inch diameter; 3.2 pounds; hand wash only

All Clad D3 stainless nonstick pan for eggs — Allrecipes / Will Dickey

Best Large

Zwilling Madura Plus Non-Stick Frying Pan

Zwilling Madura Plus 8 inches Non-Stick Frying Pan

PHOTO: Amazon

$150 at Amazon View on Zwilling.com $106 at Wayfair

Why It’s Great: Matching black handle; easy to clean; versatile

Grain of Salt: Only oven-safe up to 300°F

Allstar Ashley Schuering says she looks for reliably nonstick, scratch-resistant, induction-safe pans with even heating and lightweight designs for easy flipping. This Zwilling pan fits the bill and then some, with a sleek all-black construction and generous 11-inch diameter.

The pan’s sturdy forged aluminum provides pro-level heat distribution and retention, and there’s a whole line of matching cookware—from saucepans to deep frying pans—to stock up your kitchen. Cooked eggs will slide off like butter from the three layers of DuraSlide granite nonstick coating, which, apart from adding 40 times more durability than traditional nonstick, helps make this pan easier to clean.

The Details: Forged aluminum; 11-inch diameter; 2.95 pounds; dishwasher safe

Zwilling Madura Plus frying pan for eggs — Allrecipes / Will Dickey

Best Small

Le Creuset Nonstick Pan

Le Creuset Toughened Nonstick PRO Deep Fry Pan

PHOTO: Amazon

$175 at Amazon $175 at Nordstrom $175 at Sur La Table

Why It’s Great: Trusted brand; long-lasting materials; ergonomic handle

Grain of Salt: Pricey for its size

While Le Creuset is better known for its lightweight and long-lasting cast iron, the brand also has several lines of nonstick cookware made using forged hard anodized aluminum. Allstar Alyson Richardson has used this Le Creuset Toughened Nonstick Pro since 2012, which is a pretty impressive length of time for any nonstick pan.

It’s safe to use in the oven up to 500°F and has a slightly textured, triple-reinforced coating to promote even browning and searing. When it comes time to clean, simply throw it in the dishwasher. Although the pan is a little pricey for the smaller 8-inch size (it also comes in 9.5-inch, 10.25-inch, 11-inch, and 12-inch), it’s well worth the investment for a pan with the potential to last over a decade.

The Details: Forged hard anodized aluminum; 8-inch diameter; 1.5 pounds; hand washing recommended

Le Creuset nonstick pan — Allrecipes / Will Dickey

Our Takeaway

While all of the egg pans on this roundup came highly recommended by our Allstars, we chose the Made In Nonstick Frying Pan as our top pick because of its longevity and modern design. Apart from the sturdy construction, it also boasts a stainless-clad base with two layers of nonstick coating. For a budget-conscious, dishwasher-safe pick that comes in several colors, consider the Blue Diamond Ceramic Nonstick 10-Inch Skillet.

How to Pick the Right Egg Pan

Material

Egg pans come in different materials, but most commonly stainless steel, cast iron, carbon steel, and nonstick. While stainless steel pans can be handy since they heat up quickly and are non-reactive (which means it won’t affect the taste of food), they can also be expensive and prone to sticking.

Cast iron skillets are super durable and heat-retentive once they’re hot. However, cast iron is also heavy, more difficult to care for, and food doesn’t always release easily. Carbon steel is lightweight and maintains heat extremely well, but also requires more care and regular seasoning to remain nonstick. Generally, we love nonstick cookware for preparing eggs because it's easier to clean and the eggs are less likely to stick.

Size

An 8- to 10-inch size should suffice for an egg pan, but those with larger families or who entertain regularly may want to upgrade to an 11- or 12-inch pan. While the smaller 8-inch size will work for one to two servings of eggs at a time, a larger size may come in handy while cooking meals for a larger group of friends or during the holidays. Also, keep in mind the other uses an egg pan may provide, like cooking oatmeal or heating up leftovers.

Maintenance

Maintenance often goes hand in hand with materials, since some pans will be easier to care for depending on what they’re made from. Cast iron and carbon steel, for example, require regular seasoning and handwashing to remain nonstick and usable.

Some brands tout their pans for being scratch-resistant, even with metal utensils, but we would still suggest using silicone-lined or wooden kitchen utensils on your nonstick egg pans. Similarly, some pans may even be safe to use in the dishwasher, but handwashing will almost always keep your nonstick coatings in better condition for longer. On that note, avoid using citrus-based detergents and abrasive materials like steel wool on nonstick pans since they can scratch or otherwise damage them beyond use.

Common Questions

Why are my eggs sticking to my nonstick pan?

Over time, the coating can wear off of a nonstick pan, causing the eggs to stick rather than slide off easily after they’re cooked. If this happens, it can help to add a little oil or butter to the pan to keep them from sticking. If it continues to happen or you can physically see the coating flake off of the pan surface, it might be time for the pan to be replaced.

Can I cook eggs in a stainless steel pan?

You can fry eggs in any kind of pan, including stainless steel, as long as you use the proper techniques. First, the pan needs to be at the right temperature (a good trick is to add a few drops of water into the hot pan—if they bead and roll away rather than sizzle and evaporate, it’s ready to use). You’ll also want to add oil or butter to the pan before cooking the eggs to prevent them from sticking.

How long should my egg pan last?

The longevity of your egg pan will most likely depend on its material. Nonstick pans are usually good for a few years (or at least until they start to flake or chip), while hard-anodized aluminum can last up to 10 years or more when properly cared for. Cast iron pans require a bit more work—they’ll need to be hand washed and seasoned every once in a while—but they’ll last for generations.

Why Take Our Word For It?

Katherine Gallagher is an associate commerce editor for Allrecipes who has been writing about food since 2017. She worked in the restaurant industry for over 10 years and starts many of her mornings with a plate of scrambled eggs. For this article, Katherine consulted our Allstars—a team of over 100 home cooks, bloggers, registered dietitians, and food lovers who submit recipes and share their expertise with Allrecipes—about their favorite brands and what they look for in a good egg pan.

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